Are you searching for the best seafood markets in San Diego? If so, read ahead for our favorite spots.
If you’ve been looking for the finest seafood markets in San Diego for fresh fish and crustaceans, you’re in the right place.
We’ve put together a list of seafood markets in San Diego that never fail to disappoint. From Trang’s Seafood Market to the eternally popular El Pescador Fish Market, there’s something for everyone here!
It’s worth noting that a few of these seafood markets in San Diego have incredibly sustainable approaches to fishing.
So, it’s worth keeping an eye out for them in this list of seafood markets in San Diego!
Now let’s dive in!
The 8 Best Seafood Markets in San Diego!
Trang’s Seafood Market
Trang’s Seafood Market is the first place on our list of seafood markets in San Diego and it won’t let you down.
It’s tucked away on University Avenue near Fairmount Village and sells affordable fresh catches to those that can’t head to the bay.
They’re known for selling huge Maine lobsters and Alaska crab legs.
But you’ll find everything from green mussels to octopus and fresh fish making an appearance on mountains of ice.
This is one of our top seafood markets in San Diego as the opening hours are excellent (it’s open every day between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm!).
So, it’s one of the best seafood markets in San Diego if you struggle to visit other spots during working hours.
Tuna Harbor Dockside Market
Next on our list of seafood markets in San Diego is the ever-popular Tuna Harbor Dockside Market!
You just know the stuff here is uber-fresh as it’s right on Harbor Lane by the bay.
This is one of the finest open-air seafood markets in San Diego that runs on Saturdays from 8 am until 2 pm.
Or until everything has been snatched up!
Another thing that makes this place one of the best seafood markets in San Diego is its approach to sustainability.
Everything sold here is sourced by local fishermen who minimize their carbon footprints and harvest fish sustainably from nearby waters.
They also aim to educate shoppers on San Diego’s commercial fishing history and the importance of buying local!
So, it’s among the seafood markets in San Diego with a huge heart. And what’s not to love about that?
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South Bay Fishery
If you’re on the hunt for seafood markets in San Diego that specialize in fish, then you’ll adore South Bay Fishery.
This place is entirely family-owned and expertly prepares local catches for commercial purchasers.
Although we’d say this wasn’t one of the best seafood markets in San Diego for casual fish fans, it’s ideal if you need large quantities!
Whether you’re on the hunt for bass, salmon, or fresh scallops, this is one of the seafood markets in San Diego that has your back.
The Fish Market
Next up on our list of the best seafood markets in San Diego, it’s The Fish Market.
This place is a super central option for fresh seafood in San Diego, and it also has an attached restaurant too (so you can grab your shopping, and some lunch).
We love having the restaurant attached too, because it serves some inspiration for dishes too!
For sale, you’ll find a really wide variety of fin fish, shellfish, house smoked fish and their very own complimenting sauces – which are well worth a try!
They’re open 11:30 am – 8:30 pm most days (with an extra hour in the evening on a Friday and Saturday).
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Imperial Fish Market
Imperial Fish Market is next up on our list of seafood markets in San Diego that are worth exploring!
This lesser-known gem is hidden away on Euclid Avenue, but it’s well worth the detour from downtown.
We’d say that this was more of a restaurant than one of the seafood markets in San Diego.
But the fact that you get to pick out your fish and watch it fried before your eyes is a complete novelty that we love.
They serve everything from catfish and red snapper to tilapia and frog legs (for ambitious folks!).
So, this is one of the seafood markets in San Diego that’s well worth a second look if you adore fresh fish.
And a hefty serving of fries, of course.
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Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill
Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill is one of the best seafood markets in San Diego – period.
Not only is it among the seafood markets in San Diego with tons of fish behind each counter, but its restaurant menu is scrumptious.
Serving everything from super-fresh fish tacos to perfectly cooked sea bass and sashimi, there’s truly something for everyone here.
But if you want to push the boat out (pun intended!), why not order a half dozen of their raw oysters?
The texture on these guys is perfect and the richness of flavor is through the roof.
Oh, and did we mention that they serve poke bowls too?
It doesn’t matter whether you’re stopping by to grab some fish for dinner or want to dine in. This is one of the seafood markets in San Diego you need to visit.
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Catalina Offshore Products
Catalina Offshore Products is one of the most popular seafood markets in San Diego that offers sushi-grade fish.
It’s a huge hit with local restaurants, but customers can purchase everything from single cuts to entire sushi-making kits here.
And who doesn’t love seafood markets in San Diego that aren’t afraid to experiment with their offerings?
You can either head to their physical premises on Lovelock Street or order their rockfish, snapper, and halibut direct to your door! Oh, and don’t forget the yellowtail, sushi-grade salmon, and sea urchin.
As this is among the seafood markets in San Diego that have been around since 1970, these guys certainly know what they’re doing.
The Market at HFS
Our next suggestion for the best seafood markets in San Diego, it’s The Market at HFS. If you didn’t know, HFS stands for Hawaiian Fresh Seafood!
This place is a favorite with locals, and it’s no wonder why. This place serves up some of the best Authentic Hawaiian Style Poke & Local Seafood.
They have some absolutely delicious seafood options, pre-prepped poke, and (as the name suggests) it comes in fresh too!
It’s definitely one of the best seafood markets in San Diego!
Tunaville Market and Grocery
If you’re on the hunt for seafood markets in San Diego that are completely sustainable, then you’ll love Tunaville Market and Grocery.
They’re based right by the water on North Harbor Drive, but you can easily get their locally-sourced seafood delivered to your home.
Three cheers for 21st-century convenience!
This is one of the seafood markets in San Diego that’s right in Point Loma. This means it’s so easy to head down if you’re hanging around the waterfront!
In case you were wondering, this spot is the brainchild of fishmonger Tommy Gomes and Mitch Conniff (who runs Mitch’s Seafood!).
So, these guys know their stuff when it comes to running one of the best seafood markets in San Diego!
Whether you want to grab lobster, fresh fish, or specialty items to jazz up your dinner, this is the place to be.
Carlsbad Aquafarm
Next up on our list of the best seafood markets in San Diego, it’s the Carlsbad Aquafarm, located just outside of the main city.
Carlsbad isn’t a bad drive from San Diego, and this place is worth it, we promise.
These guys specialize in oysters and mussels mainly, and you can visit this location to learn about the farming process (they run tours of the premises!) but also buy, and try their amazingly fresh produce too.
It’s a really unique option when searching seafood markets in San Diego, but that’s why we love it!
El Pescador Fish Market
To finish off our list of the best seafood markets in San Diego, we have El Pescador Fish Market!
This place has been one of the top seafood markets in San Diego for over 40 years.
It’s adored for its fresh catches, but you can also stop by for sandwiches, fish tacos, and delicious salads.
If you’re wondering why this is one of the best seafood markets in San Diego, it’s largely down to the range of catches you can buy.
The sockeye salmon and king salmon are the most popular, but you’ll find everything from mahi mahi and branzino too! If you want a full list, you can check it out here.
The market has incredible hours and it’s open every day between 10 am and 9 pm.
If you’re heading to the restaurant, you can grab a bite to eat between 11 am and 9 pm!
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Hopefully our list of the best seafood markets in San Diego has given you plenty of ideas and inspiration!
Which of the best seafood markets in San Diego will you be visiting first? Let us know!
